Category: Legislative

THE COURT OF APPEAL JUDGEMENT AND SEPARATION OF POWERS: SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN AND THE CLERK OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA & 3 ORS By Rt Hon Eseme Eyiboh mnipr

Emporium Reporters

The judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on Monday, February 9, 2026, represents a consequential affirmation of the constitutional principles that sustain Nigeria’s democratic order and the orderly functioning of its institutions. By upholding the disciplinary actions of the Senate as lawful and procedurally sound, the Court has robustly reinforced the doctrine of separation of powers, a cornerstone of our constitutional democracy. The ruling confirms with unmistakable clarity that the authority of the Senate to regulate its internal proceedings and discipline its members is firmly rooted in the Constitution…

2026 Budget: Trade and Investment Ministry seeks ₦2.72bn Capital Vote, records revenue surplus

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has proposed a capital allocation of ₦2.72 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, as the Minister, Dt. Jumoke Oduwole, appeared before the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment for the Ministry’s budget defence. Presenting the estimates on Monday, Oduwole disclosed that the Ministry’s total appropriation for the 2025 budget stood at ₦11.8 billion, noted that its ₦3.8 billion capital allocation for the year had not been released as at the time of the defence. She, however, confirmed that personnel and overhead costs…

Senate to reconvene Tuesday for emergency plenary sitting

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate will on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, reconvene for an emergency plenary sitting, following a directive by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The decision was conveyed in a statement issued and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Emmanuel Odo, who urged all senators to ensure their attendance. According to the statement, the emergency session is scheduled to commence at 12:00 noon.   Although the agenda for the sitting was not disclosed, the unusual recall of lawmakers from recess suggests the consideration of urgent national…

Akpabio reiterates support for electoral reforms, urges respect for institutions

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to electoral reforms and called on Nigerians to uphold and respect democratic institutions as a foundation for national development. Akpabio made the call in Abuja at the public presentation of The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria, a book authored by former Senator Effiong Bob. Describing the event as more than a literary gathering, the Senate President said it was a civic moment that invited national reflection and renewed faith in Nigeria’s democratic journey. He praised the author for documenting…

Senate lauds Health Ministry, raises alarm over Doctors’ strikes, Emergency Care gaps at 2026 Budget Defence

Lukman Laleye Babalola

By James Isaac     The Senate Committee on Health has commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for sustaining nationwide impact despite funding constraints, while expressing concern over recurrent doctors’ strikes and persistent gaps in emergency medical care across Nigeria. The commendation and concerns were raised on Friday as the ministry appeared before the committee for the defence of its 2026 budget proposal at the National Assembly. Chairman of the committee, Senator Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo (Rivers West), praised the ministry’s visibility and interventions across the country, noted…

Senate retains Electronic Transmission of Election Results — Minority Caucus

Emporium Reporters

The Senate Minority Caucus has clarified that the National Assembly did not reject electronic transmission of election results during the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. The caucus said lawmakers retained the provision for electronic transfer of results as contained in the Electoral Act 2022, contrary to reports suggesting otherwise. Addressing National Assembly Correspondents on Thursday, former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, described the reports as misleading and said they created widespread misunderstanding among the public. Abaribe stated that the Senate did not at any time vote against…

Hallowmace Foundation slams Senate’s Electoral Act amendments, warns of threat to democracy

Emporium Reporters

Hallowmace Foundation Africa has condemned the recent amendments to the Electoral Act passed by the Nigerian Senate, describing them as regressive and dangerous to Nigeria’s democratic future. The organisation, in a statement jointly signed by its Executive Director, Ambassador Anderson Osiebe, and Head of Public Communication Desk, Ambassador Oguh Hyginus John, said the amendments under the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill 2026 amounted to a deliberate weakening of electoral safeguards. According to the group, the Senate’s actions represented a systematic rollback of reforms designed to promote transparency,…

House of Reps launches probe into failed Port and Airport Contracts

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has inaugurated an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate port and airport concession agreements, following concerns over expired contracts, poor infrastructure, and alleged revenue shortfalls to the Federal Government. The Ad-hoc Committee on the Investigation and Appraisal of Federal Government Benefits from Concessionaires was set up after an oversight visit to key ports and terminals in mid-2024 revealed serious deficiencies in operations and contract compliance. Speaking on the findings, Hon. Akinlayo Kolawole, committee chairman, described conditions at the ports as “alarming,” citing the absence of modern scanning equipment,…

Senate passes Electoral Act Amendment 2026, rejects Real-Time transmission of results

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 after an intense five-hour debate, introducing key reforms to the country’s electoral framework while rejecting certain proposed changes. The upper chamber notably refused to make the electronic transmission of polling unit results mandatory, leaving INEC with the discretion to determine how results and accreditation data are shared. Lawmakers also approved the replacement of smart card readers with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation, but retained the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the sole mandatory voter…

Akpabio pays glowing tribute to late Senator Ezea at valedictory session

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday led members of the upper legislative chamber in paying glowing tributes to the late Senator Okechukwu “Okey” Ezea during a valedictory plenary held in his honour. Akpabio described the late lawmaker as a dedicated patriot, committed public servant, and faithful servant of the Republic whose life was defined by duty, integrity, and selfless service to Nigeria. Delivering an emotional eulogy titled “A Death in the Family,” the Senate President said the death of Senator Ezea had created a deep void…